What we know about potential protests ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration

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A week after a pro-Trump mob ransacked the U.S. Capitol, federal officials reiterated a warning during a call with law enforcement officials across the country, saying they remained concerned about the prospect of extremists appearing at planned rallies and leading violence.
Security is also intensifying in the battlefield states that played a crucial role in President-elect Joe Biden’s presidential victory, with governors activating the National Guard, shutting down capitals, erecting fences and gates and, in at at least two cases, closing the windows.

All of this corresponds to an inauguration like no other, with no crowds in Washington and with maximum security across the country.

Hundreds of National Guard soldiers are at the Capitol Visitor Center to beef up security at the Capitol this week.
A week after the pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, the area around Capitol Hill is under tight security. Members of the National Guard were present all around, including inside the Capitol, and new fences blocked the perimeter of the area.

DC Police Chief Robert Contee said on Wednesday that more than 20,000 members of the National Guard could be expected in the district for Biden’s inauguration, although he noted that the final numbers will be provided by the American secret service.

Federal government warns extremists could be encouraged to carry out additional attacks after the Capitol uprising

Officials added that there was no fear that there would be a shortage of guard forces to meet the needs of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Contee told reporters he remained concerned about a “major security threat” ahead of the inauguration and planned protests in the district this weekend.

“I was worried before today and will be this weekend and beyond,” Contee said Wednesday.

He also praised the safe stance of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, including discouraging people from coming to DC for the inauguration.

“There is a major security threat and we are working to mitigate these threats,” he added.

Bowser said on Wednesday she was trying to convince Home Secretary David Bernhardt’s U.S. Department to revoke public assembly permits and deny future requests in the run-up to the inauguration.

How states are preparing

The Georgia State Troopers stand guard outside the Georgia State Capitol building on day one of the 2021 legislative session in downtown Atlanta on Monday, January 11, 2021.

States across the country are stepping up security and calling on the National Guard to protect Capitol buildings ahead of possible protests, including in Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

A number of states are deploying heavy fencing and additional crowd control measures around their Capitol buildings, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia and Washington, while that Pennsylvania has built barriers and increased security.

Although many Capitol buildings are closed due to coronavirus restrictions, warnings are particularly heavy in states that allow people to openly carry guns and in those where Trump has falsely claimed fraud.

How key states plan to secure their Capitol buildings ahead of possible pro-Trump armed protests
In Michigan, where heavily armed protesters crowded inside the State Capitol in Lansing in the spring, the open carrying of firearms was banned inside the building. Still, the mayor of Lansing has asked the governor to call the National Guard to protect the Capitol, and the state attorney general has said the state’s new open-range gun ban is not enough.

“The State Capitol is not secure,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

In Virginia, a state of emergency has been declared in Richmond and Capitol Square will be closed ahead of planned protests at the State Capitol. The state is planning a rally on Monday for “Lobby Day,” an annual protest event that brought thousands of gun rights activists to Capitol Hill last year.

In Oregon, the FBI has set up a command post to collect and share intelligence with law enforcement on potential threats of violence against the State Capitol.

In Florida and Oklahoma, lawmakers and staff are urged to work from home this weekend due to the likelihood of protests. Utah is also closing its Capitol building due to planned protests. In Wisconsin and Virginia, workers closed the first-floor windows of their capital before possible protests.

Several large states are also on high alert. In New York, state police took steps “to strengthen security in and around the State Capitol in Albany” ahead of Biden’s inauguration. And in California, fences have been deployed around the Capitol, where the governor says there is a “heightened and heightened level of security” and the National Guard could be deployed.

CNN’s Amanda Watts, Alison Main, Nicky Robertson, Barbara Starr and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.

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